HORSE BETTING

• How Racing Surfaces Are Playing at Santa Anita

  Posted on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT by Greg Melikov

  
  

  The 2008 Breeders’ Cup saw no runner going wire to wire in any of the 14 races at Santa Anita Park on the Pro-Ride surface or the grass in sprints or routes.
   
  Only Midshipman led after a half-mile after breaking slowly and went on the win the BC Juvenile at 1 1/16 miles by 1 ¼ lengths.
   
  The son of Unbridled’s Song came the closest to bucking the trend last fall during the Oak Tree meeting when only 5 percent of the first 14 winners led all the way at the distance before the two-day event.
   
  Midshipman, after missing the Triple Crown season this year because of an injury, goes in the Dirt Mile on Saturday, Nov. 7, against a formidable full field that will include Mastercraftsman, Cowboy Cal, Regal Ransom, Bullsbay, Chocolate Candy and Pyro, the only returnee hoping to improve his sixth-place finish.
   
  Last year, 18 percent of 11 winners were in front at every call at a mile on the main track before the BC races.
   
  Albertus Maximus on that same Saturday afternoon, Oct. 25, rallied from ninth more than six lengths after six furlongs, angled out five wide from fifth for the drive and scored by 1 ¼ lengths.
   
  This year at a mile, 37 percent of 19 winners won on the front end with early speed performing best and inside the place to be, according to Brisnet.com. When it comes to 1 1/16 miles. 19 percent of 26 winners went wire to wire. Closers again did well while racing inside was preferred.
   
  Stalking was the most successful running style at many races leading up to last year’s two-day event. This year it’s a bit mixed.
   
  For example, last year from Sept. 24 to Oct. 11, only 12 percent of 32 winners led at every call of the six furlongs. The number jumped to 27 percent with inclusion of the next 11 races. Stalkers and breaking from mid-post positions were best.
   
  Midnight Lute got off a bit slowly in the ’08 Sprint, stalked the pace fifth more than three lengths back after a half-mile of the six furlongs and ran down Fatal Bullet in the stretch to repeat by 1 ¾ lengths. Fatal Bullet is the only returnee.
   
  In 47 races at the distance this year, 21 percent of winners were on the front end. Closers again did well while best posts were in the middle and outside. 
   
  Of last year’s four BC routes on the turf, the winner closest to the pace after six furlongs was Goldikova in the Mile. The filly was 1 ½ lengths and a head behind in third after six furlongs, dropped to fourth in the stretch, but gained the lead with a quick burst of speed to win by 1 ¼ lengths.
   
  The only returning challenger to take on the defending champ is Whatsthescript, who trailed in the stretch before rallying from 11th to finish third 43 ¾ lengths behind.
   
  For the 41 races on the grass in ’09, only 17 percent of winners went wire to wire.
   
  Desert Code came roaring from more than 10 lengths behind in 11th after a half-mile to register a half-length victory in the Turf Sprint at 6 ½ furlongs.
   
  Three sprinters that finished off the board are hoping to defeat the defending champ this year: Fleeting Spirit, fourth; Get Funky, ninth; and California Flag, 10th.
   
  In 24 sprints on the grass during the current meeting, 25 percent of winners led at every call.